Episode 111 – Recap
March 17, 2025
🎶 Smartphones at Concerts: Should They Be Banned? 🎶
Hey friends! 👋 Welcome back to Songs That Don’t Suck! This week, we’re diving into a hot topic that’s been making waves in the music world: smartphones at concerts. Are they enhancing or ruining the live music experience? 🤔
Let’s face it — we’ve all been there. You shell out serious cash for concert tickets, get pumped to see your favorite artist, and then… BAM! The person in front of you whips out their phone and starts recording the whole damn show — blocking your view and killing the vibe. 😤
Well, some big names in the industry have had enough — and they’re starting to take action. Let’s unpack what’s happening and why it matters.
📱 The Problem with Phones at Concerts
Mark’s take? If you need to document every second of a concert, you’re probably not really experiencing it. And he’s not alone in feeling this way.
👉 At a recent Dream Theater show, Mark had to confront a phone-wielding concertgoer blocking his view. Luckily, the guy put his phone away — but not without a moment of fear, since the dude was huge. 😅
👉 The worst offenders? People who carry on full-blown conversations during a show. Seriously — just stream the album at home if you want to chat! 🙄
👻 Ghost Takes a Stand
The Swedish rock band Ghost is leading the charge against smartphone distractions. On their upcoming 2025 tour, fans will be required to lock their phones in tamper-proof bags that stay sealed until the concert ends (or until you step into a designated phone-free zone).
Frontman Tobias Forge put it bluntly:
“If you have 10,000 people at a concert and 8,000 of them are holding a phone, there’s something deeply disconnected.”
Ghost isn’t the only one taking a hard stance:
- Tool has had a strict no-phone policy for years. Get caught recording? You’re out — no second chances, no refunds. Bye. 👋
- Bob Dylan also uses secure phone bags at his shows — no distractions allowed.
🎯 Do Smaller Artists Benefit from Phone Footage?
Mark admits there’s a double standard here. While massive acts like Taylor Swift and Ghost don’t need extra exposure, smaller artists actually benefit from fans sharing clips online.
👉 For example, Mark doesn’t hesitate to film and promote bands like The Bites because they could use the exposure. 🎥 But Taylor Swift? Yeah, she’s doing just fine without your shaky concert footage. 😆
💡 Mark’s Advice for Concert Etiquette
If you must record at a concert, follow these basic rules of decency:
✅ Keep your phone at eye level — don’t block someone else’s view.
✅ Turn down the brightness — you don’t need to blind everyone around you.
✅ Don’t record the whole show — you’re not a documentarian.
✅ Just be present — enjoy the music in the moment! 🎶
🎧 New Music You Need to Hear
Alright, enough ranting — let’s get into the good stuff. Here are the top tracks Mark’s been vibing with this week:
1. “Weigh Down On Me” – Day
- Post-alternative vibes with a smooth groove.
- Reminds Mark of the band Everything (think “Hooch” from Happy Gilmore).
- Road trip playlist material — for sure. 🚗
2. “Another Yesterday” – Portrait of Tao
- Jazzy, bluesy indie pop.
- Mark compares it to obscure Canadian artist Tory Casiss.
- A smooth vocal performance that sticks with you.
3. “I’ll Be Okay” – Michigander
- Emotional pop-rock with Heartland influences.
- Includes a killer saxophone solo (yes, really!). 🎷
- Perfect “I’m struggling, but I’ll make it” anthem.
4. “Surrender” – Himalayas
- Bond theme-level intensity meets sleazy rock groove.
- Contains one of Mark’s favorite lyrics of the year (guess which one!).
- Thoughtfully constructed — a musical journey. 🎯
5. “Emergence” – Sleep Token
- Complex, haunting progressive rock with layered rhythms.
- Mark spent 30 minutes figuring out the time signature. 🤯
- Heavy, emotional, and musically brilliant.
🎯 Wrap-Up: Over 500 Songs Shared!
This episode marks over 500 songs shared on Songs That Don’t Suck! 🎉 Whether you’ve been with Mark since day one or just hopped on, THANK YOU for listening.
👉 Want to check out the full playlist? Head to songsthatdontsuck.net for links to Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
👉 Got song recommendations or feedback? Email Mark at mark@songsthatdontsuck.net.
👉 Support the podcast by grabbing some merch or signing up for the newsletter.
🎶 Until next week — keep searching for and listening to songs that don’t suck! 🎶
